Summary

Chapter 28: January 1934

On January 9, the primary defendant in the Reichstag arson trial, Marinus van der Lubbe, was told that he would be beheaded the next day. After the execution, Germany seemed to be more stable. Hitler did not seem as insane and showed signs of cooperation with other nations. Anthony Eden, a British official, met with Hitler and felt he wanted peace. The economy was improving and unemployment was declining. But many of the improvements were just superficial and propaganda stunts. A representative of the Quakers visited Dachau and reported that the camp seemed better than most. But outward appearances were deceiving. Dachau became the model for the systematic abuse that would become standard in other camps.

Germany also tried to portray that their persecution of Jews had eased. However, although superficially violence had abated, more subtle oppression became widespread. More Jews...